Anyone had a baby whilst on Sertraline?

[Hangingbellyofbabylon]

I'm currently on 50mg/day of Sertraline and have been for the last 8 months or so; and just had a positive pregnancy test at the weekend. During my previous pregnancies I had severe and extreme pre-natal anxiety, insomnia and OCD. I'm currently on the Sertraline for anxiety and insomnia and I really don't want to have to stop if I can avoid it as I am terrified of how unstable I was during my last pregnancies. Does anyone experience of taking Sertraline in pregnancy?

Hi, I am new to this and have been reading all of your posts with great relief, we have decided to try for a baby, I have been on sertraline 50/mg for 3 years now after suffering miserably for 3 years prior, I really do not want to return to that anxious wreck and you have reassured me. Thank u

I took 100mg of sertraline & Olanzapine whilst I was pg. DD is fine. I cut down to 50 mg the last few weeks. I was under the cars of a psychiatrist for my meds.
As you get more of the larger blood volume 'dilutes' the effect so you may need to increase the dose to get the same effect.

Hi I've just joined mumsnet because of this discussion - I'm hoping there are still people active on it who may be able to help me / reassure me. I'm 35 weeks pregnant and starting to struggle badly with anxiety. I've struggled with anxiety for years and have been on and off paroxetine for ages. I stopped taking it when I found out I was pregnant (this is baby number 2). But I struggled straight after my first baby was born with extreme anxiety and I think this is what has triggered my onset of anxiety now.

My doctor has suggested sertraline but I'm so worried about the possible effect on the baby as I would never forgive myself if they suffered withdrawal symptoms. Has anyone experienced their baby having withdrawal symptoms from this? What was it like / what happened? How long do they keep you and baby in hospital for to monitor them?

I'm so torn between taking the medication to stop the impact my stress and anxiety will have on the baby (and to try to keep myself sane up to the birth and after it) and with not taking it because I don't want to put the baby at any risk.

My other question is - how long did people find it took to work? I've heard it can take 3 weeks - which is making me think that I should start it now as I really don't want to have a severe attack in labour or just after having the baby.

I just want to be a normal happy mum with a healthy happy baby - grateful for any advice x

I just trying to find out has any 1 taking seretral 150ml the whole way true being perg i am taking seretral wit the last 4 to 5 weeks and i only discovers 2 days ago in 6 weeks perg is any1 being in the same boat and for everything to be ok plz let me know thank u

I stumbled across this thread whilst doing a google for sertraline in pregnancy. I'd forgotten I had posted this. Baby in question at the start of this thread has just started school, she was born on 31st August so is the very youngest in the whole school. I took 150mg from about 20 weeks and throughout breast feeding. In fact I was and still am taking it and am now 17 weeks pregnant with baby number 4. This time I have been referred to the 'sunshine' team - a specialist midwife team for women with mental health issues. I could have really done with this during my previous pregnancies but hey ho. This time I will have help in the form of an advocate to help make sure I don't get pissed around during labour. One thing that is different is that they are now saying that I will have to stay in for at least 48 hours to monitor the baby for withdrawal. I still have guilt that somehow my last baby was affected by me taking sertraline as she is quite a grumpy young thing but the consensus here seems to be that the baby isn't affected. Who knows? I need to take it or I wouldn't be able to patent my other 3. I guess there's always something it feel guilty about.

Hi, I stumbled across this thread while trying to research Sertraline as my specialist midwife is insisting that I start taking it. I've just picked it up from the pharmacy but the leaflet seems to contradict everything my midwife is saying. I'm so scared about taking it and my husband isn't keen for me to start taking meds, but on the other hand I haven't slept properly for months, am crying all the time and not coping at work so have been signed off for two weeks. I can't go on like this but am so worried about my baby (I'm 27 weeks). I couldn't breastfeed my first daughter and am desperate to bf successfully this time around and worried about the implication of this too. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Here's my understanding.

If you have moderate to severe symptoms and are non-functioning, suicidal, psychotic, have had severe depression with these sorts of symptoms in the past or are losing weight, go on the meds.

Otherwise, go on the meds if you want but psychotherapy likely to be just as effective.

I was diagnosed with moderate-severe depression with OCD in my second pregnancy. I didn't take the drugs. I had weekly private psychotherapy but in retrospect, I ended it too early at 34 weeks... should have kept going. I also did a hypnobirthing course which helped with birth anxieties. I stupidly did a very high stress interview a few weeks before the birth after the therapy ended and this really made my symptoms much more intense.

I am pregnant with number 3. I have come off meds but I had a year of CBT and also did two mindfulness courses.

You can do it without meds if you want but you have to commit to other treatment. Untreated depression not a good idea... but no, no one should force your decision on meds unless your life or baby's life/health is at risk.

Incidentally go off work if you are struggling and can afford it and do nice stress free things... craft classes or meeting friends or doing nice thing with your older one... ease the pressure... simplify your life. It is a few short months and your health is worth it.

Also contact milk matters to look at doing antenatal plan for bfing. This was big trigger for me... worth having plan in place...

Hello you amazing people!! I am new to this, first time, so bare with me! Have just read through these messages and am amazed at how many people have the same fears/concerns. I need some advise if that's ok?
Ok, so me! 33yrs old, Have been on Sertraline 100mg for about 3 months, previously on 50mg for 1 month. Have a 7yr old and now wanting to try for another. Hubby is on Mitrazapine 45mg, Propranolol 40mg and Diazepan 4mg 2 times a day for PTSD, Anxiety and depression. (no hes not crazy lol, had a bad industrial accident and lots of death in the family all in a short space of time) So we have decided the time is right to try for a baby. Our sex life to be honest has been non existent for the last year as we put it down to his medication. Other than that we are fine and get on really well. Soooo sorry ill stop going on . . . So how is the medication going to take effect? if any? I would be grateful for anyone's comments?
Thanks J x

Hi this is all very interesting to read. I was on citalopram for 5 years after the birth of my 2nd child and recently tried to reduce the dose with the help of my GP in prep for stopping to have another baby, unfortunately i got very low and so he suggested sertraline, I have been on it for 8 weeks and discovered only yesterday I am 4 weeks pregnant!! I was at the GP today (not my usual one) and she recommened I try to cut my dose of 50mg in half! I am a bit concerned about doing this but at the same time wanted to do what is best for my baby but hearing all the messages on here has made me feel more easy about staying as I am! She talked alot about congenital heart defects and withdrawl symptoms for the baby when it is born and I was very worried!

I did my own research and found that sertraline was the best AD to take while BF.

I took sertraline 50 mg then 100 mg while pregnant- it caused severe iugr in dd - she was just over 4lbs at full term. There are some questions over her development but she's only a few months old so we have to wait to see how she is affected
I beat myself up about it but I made the right decision at the time I think- you have to weigh up the risks and we got unlucky

hi all. I have been on 100mg Sertraline for 2 years now for severe Panic Dissorder and OCD. Things got so bad 2 years ago i got psychosis and ended up being temporarily sectioned. I started on Sertraline then and it totaly changed my life for the better, im a totaly different person - happy, calm, positive, able etc..........
But 2 weeks ago I found out i was pregnant!!
My (quite new!) partner doesnt really believe in mental health problems and doesnt agree with me taking meds whilst pregnant. I thought id be ok so i just totaly stopped taking the meds. 5 days later i have totaly crashed - all the panic attacks, intruisive thoughts, cant breath, confused, crying etc back with a vengance!
We ended up with the psychiatric doctor today who tried to explain that im doing more harm to baby being off the Sertraline than I would do on them. My partner doesnt believe this and i am stuck in a very anxious confused place trying to decide who is right.
so thank you every one for your positive posts. it has helped alot. To be honest in my panicked state i had decided a termination would be the only option for me (although id hate myself forever) but now you guys have given me hope - as the thought of taking the sertraline whilst pregnant makes me feel like i can do it. thanx for your helps xx

Hi all

I'm picking this thread up again as I'm really freaking about about taking 50mg Setraline during my first trimester and hoping someone can offer some advice.

I was taking Fluoxetine when I got pregnant last year (I stopped taking it at week 10) and when we went for the 20 week scan they found that our baby had a serious heart defect and we decided to terminate the pregnancy as there was so much wrong that there was very little chance of him making it.

I went back on Sertraline at the end of last year to help me cope with the grief, and help with the day to day stuff and keeps the negative thoughts at bay, but now I've just found out I'm pregnant (6 weeks + 1) and am panicking that I might have caused harm to my baby's development. I tried coming off the meds last week but the effects of withdrawal on top of the anxiety about my baby's health (I was so traumatised after losing the baby last year).

Now I feel like I'm between a rock and hard place. Has anyone else had experience of taking Sertraline during their pregnancies? What was the outcome? My GP says to come off them but the Dr at the hospital said they were safe to take during pregnancy. I'm so confused I'm not sure what I shoud do!

Hi, I have been put on sertraline today and I am 7 weeks pregnant, was ur little one ok after birth with no problems of withdrawal symptoms,

Hi there Julied - unfortunately I had a miscarriage a few days after posting my message earlier this year. No idea whether it was related to the Sertraline, but I doubt it was. There doesn't seem to be any evidence of SSRIs increasing risk of miscarriage. We have been trying to get pregnant again since then but no success :(.

I spoke to the midwife and GP and they both recommended coming off Sertraline whilst pregnant. It seems like there's a lot of conflicting information on the effects of SSRI's during pregancy but if your GP has prescribed you it, knowing that you are pregnant then I think that it is most probably safe.

A friend of mine who is 7 months pregnant was prescribed Amitriptyline (one of the older, tricyclic antidepressants) a couple of months into her pregnancy and they told her it was safe (well, safer than her having panic attacks and wanting to drink at least).

Best of luck with your pregnancy. Please keep us posted to let us know how you're getting on :)

Hi all!! Thank you all for posting on here, I'm about to start trying for a baby and all your comments have helped to ease my mind!!! I'm 45, been on sertraline for years xx

Hello!
Old thread I know but just reading all your stories has made me feel so much better.
I am now 7 weeks pregnant and have been on 100mgs of Sertraline for about 1.5 years...the last few days I feel as though I am losing it...slipping back into my anxious ways and thoughts. It's such a horrible feeling and is really stressing me out.
I am seeing the dr tomorrow and hoping my dose can be upped to help.
Don't wanna go back to where I was a few years ago...I just want to be happy again and excited about my pregnancy.
Thank you all for sharing!!

I have been on sertraline 150mg for 4 years and came off them last year with advice from gp, i ended up back on 50mg dose approx 6 months after coming off, i have been back on them for approx 5 months, i am currently 10 weeks pregnant and came off my 50mg dose when I found out i was pregnant at only 2 weeks. I have really struggled the past couple of weeks and struggling to even care for my 4 year old daughter. Totally broke down this week in front of family members who weren’t aware of how bad i had got. Spoke to doctor who reassured me about taking sertraline while pregnant and breastfeeding as I would like to try as I felt i gave up too quick with my daughter.

I would just like to say thank you for your comments, they are old posts but have really helped me

Hello, sorry I’m new to this, I’m 26 weeks pregnant and have been prescribed sertraline 50mg a day but I am scared of anything happening to my baby, all the comments were helpful but did any of you have to stay in for your baby to be monitored? Thanks in advance

Is this thread is still active?!

Hi, I'm new to this only just signed up. Wanted to try speak to people who are in aa similar situation to me. I've worried about being on sertraline through pregnancy but can't seem to cope anxiety wise without the help. I was on 100mg but reduced to 75mg and then 50mg. I tried to start weaning myself off for worry regarding withdrawal effects for baby but starting to feel anxiety again. After reading alot of people's stories it makes me feel a bit better about thinking of increasing again. My other worry is my partner doesn't know I'm back on my sertraline, hes very supportive and loving and I can't fault him but he's a worrier and automatically will feel it will harm the baby so can't tell him. Do I have the right to tell the midwife and everyone involved in my care at the time that it is confidential and for him to not know? Any response would be great to speak to others going through similar feelings and situations as it is difficult to talk to and explain to others that have no idea what it feels like.

I'm hoping so as would like to talk to others with similar thoughts and situations

Hi
I am 20 weeks pregnant and I've been on sertraline now since 12 weeks was on citalopram before.
I have recently read there are studies that show that women who take antidepressant are more likely to have a child with autism /adhd server behavioul problems.
Im really starting to worry that I am doing my baby harm.
Has anyone else experienced this?

So I’m currently 22 weeks pregnant. And before I was pregnant I was on sertraline and had been for 2 years. And was at my best and managing my anxiety, depression and PTSD. But with very lack of advice and support From my GP on taking sertraline while pregnant. I choose to stop as all I was told by my GP is there’s
A chance baby will get withdrawal symptoms and it’s up to me weather I wanted
To stop them. So I though it would be best to stop for the interest of baby. But after getting more advise From else where and my mental going down Hill a couple of months in after I stopped taking them, I now no that wasn’t the best idea. So Iv started taking them again. As I wanted to be the best version on myself before baby arrived. But for some reason there making me sick every time I take them and not agreeing with me at all! Iv even lowered my does from 100mg to 50mg but it makes no difference. My GP said it’s to do with hormones being high and the tables reacting with that. But after there
First advice I don’t really before a work they tell me I really need a nee GP. Anyone else had this problem while taking sertraline and being pregnant? There are making me feel as sick as a dog and just not agreeing with me while being pregnant, I didn’t have this problem before. Anyone else? ( it isn’t the pregnancy making me sick I’m fine Intill o take the tablets )